EPA wants to regulate um, er… “farm dust” – Huh? WTF?

Not satisfied with classifying milk as oil (because milk contains animal fats, which are, you know, like oil), the EPA is now considering putting another boot to the farmer’s neck by regulating um, er – “farm dust.” (story here) Well, I guess that since all farmers are not milk producers, the EPA needed some other excuse to be a pain in the ass.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a crackdown on farm dust, so senators have signed a letter addressing their concerns on the possible regulations.

The letter dated July 23 to the EPA states, “If approved, would establish the most stringent and unparalleled regulation of dust in our nation’s history.” It further states, “We respect efforts for a clean and healthy environment, but not at the expense of common sense. These identified levels will be extremely burdensome for farmers and livestock producers to attain. Whether its livestock kicking up dust, soybeans being combined on a dry day in the fall, or driving a car down the gravel road, dust is a naturally occurring event.”

Well, let’s look at some facts:

Farms, where they, you know, grow things, have lots of dirt.

If it doesn’t rain for a while, this dirt dries out – especially on the surface. This is commonly known as dust.

If the wind kicks up a bit or something disturbs this dust, it gets airborne.

Farms are generally out in the country where not many people (other than other farmers) live.

Who is being harmed here? Is this something that a government agency has to protect us from?

Many in the Oklahoma farming industry are opposed to the EPA’s consideration. One farmer said the possible regulations are ridiculous.

“It’s plain common sense, we don’t want to do anything detrimental,” said farmer Curtis Roberts. “If the dust is detrimental to us, it’s going to be to everybody. We’re not going to do anything to hurt ourselves or our farm.”

Roberts, a fourth generation farmer and rancher in Arcadia, said regulating dust in rural areas will hurt farmers’ harvest, cultivation and livelihood.

“Anytime you work ground, you’re going to have dust. I don’t know how they’ll regulate it,” Roberts said. “The regulations are going to put us down and keep us from doing things we need to be doing because of the EPA.”

I have a better idea. We need a Citizens Protection Agency to protect us from government pinheads who have nothing better to do than sit around all day dreaming up ways for the government to protect us from ourselves. SHEESH…